Johnstown company gives back, builds landscaping business

May 10, 2011|Christine Schirato

Craig Eagleson, owner of Eagleson Excavating, has been in the excavating business for five years.

"With the excavating business, when we go and replace a sewer line, we have to full restoration. Basically, we have to re-landscape," he said. "We have been installing lawns for the past couple of years now as part of are service."

So, when he took over the former K&K Supply Yard to keep supplies for the excavating company, it was a natural progression into landscaping and they opened Eagleson Excavating, Landscaping and Supply Center, 645 Scalp Ave., Johnstown.

Compared to larger chain stores that stock similar items, Eagleson said they stock more items.

"We also deliver," said Eagleson, of Davidsville. "We are a local company. Everyone who works for me lives locally."

Other than excavation work, the company specializes property maintenance, lawn mowing, hedge trimming, mulching, borders and retaining walls among other services.

Eagleson also pays it forward a bit by giving back to the community.

For every 10 lawns Eagleson landscapes, he actively seeks someone out who may need some help with their lawn.

"One thing that we do is that we like to bless the community. About every 10 yards that I get, I try to look for somebody who needs help," he said. "Maybe an elderly couple who can't do it themselves. We try to do that for free."

Eagleson said that this is his personal way of helping others.

"It is our way to say thank-you to the community for patronizing our business," he said. "In my travels I have seen people who have needed the help."

As for lawn care, Eagleson offers some tips to homeowners.

He suggests that homeowners apply fertilizer and weed control to their yards at least twice a year.

"Some people do it three to four times a year, but at least twice a year."

More importantly, though homeowners should have their soil tested.

"Every three years, you should test your soil. (Testing) will tell you your pH level," he said. "You don't know what your yard needs. By testing it, you will know what to put on it and not put on it."

"By doing that you will be able to tell what your yard actually needs and you will save money in the long run."

A lot of landscapers test soil, he said.

For more information, call Eagleson Excavating, Landscaping and Supply Center at (814) 266-6949.